Cruisers’ Net is always glad to hear from experienced cruiser David Burnham, a true Cruiser Helping Cruisers and we look forward to the next log page of his current cruise. Be assured that David’s observations and advice can be trusted and passed along to your cruising colleagues. See Closures Ahead for the latest LNM on the FEC RR bridge in Jacksonville.

I took a sailboat from Palatka, Florida (on the St. Johns River) around through Jacksonville and down to Saint Augustine today. Apart from the FEC railroad bridge problems in downtown Jacksonville, I have a few other items that may interest cruisers. READ MORE!

In Green Cove Springs, Florida, the public dock has reopened and there is electricity available. However, the telephone contact number at the city office is no longer posted at the dock. I tied up our sailboat overnight and left again in the morning without any contact from the city.
At the downtown “Jacksonville Landing”, only the downtown shuttle ferry is making a landing as the signs that the “dock is under repair and no docking is permitted” are still in place and there is no sign of any work in progress.
This will make it a bit difficult for cruisers who arrive to find that the FEC railroad bridge is closed until the 18th of March.
Heading south from Jacksonville on the AICW, green floating marker #7 is found just after turning south into the AICW from the St Johns River. However, it seems to have floated out of position as it was sighted a little outside, and on the wrong side, of the channel and to the southeast of red markers #6 and #8. Southbound Cruisers should not try to leave green #7 to port until it is returned to its proper position on the northeast side of the channel. Northbound cruisers should be able to see that green #7 is not on the correct side of the channel as they approach the St. Johns River crossing.
Further south on the AICW near the St. Augustine Airport, green marker #41 is normally a lighted mark, but it was not lit after dark when I passed it today.
David Burnham

This cantankerous aging railway bridge in the heart of downtown Jacksonville requires constant upkeep and has plagued boaters with its numerous maintenance lockdowns and its closed vertical clearance of 5ft (!!) severely restricting river activities on the popular St. Johns. Our thanks to Jeff Wingfield for this notice.

The railroad bridge crossing the St. John’s River in downtown Jacksonville, Florida will be closed to navigation March 10 to March 17. There will be intermittent closures through March 28.
This bridge is near and parallel to the Main Street Bridge.
Jeff Wingfield
sv BLUE MOON

And here is the Local Notice:

FLORIDA – ST JOHNS RIVER – FEC RR BRIDGE: Temporary Deviation.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad Bridge across the St. Johns River, mile 24.9, at Jacksonville, FL. The deviation is necessary to accommodate maintenance and repairs on the bridge. READ MORE!

This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation with partial openings at pre-determined times during the maintenance period. This deviation is effective from 1 p.m. on March 10, 2018 to 7:30 p.m. on March 23, 2018.
This temporary deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation from 1 p.m. on March 10, 2018 through 7:59 a.m. on March 18, 2018. The bridge will be allowed to remain in the closed to navigation position with partial openings from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on March 18, 2018; from 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on March 19, 2018; from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on March 20, 2018; from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. on March 21, 2018; from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on March 22, 2018; and from 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 23, 2018. During these designated time periods, the bridge will provide a partial opening with a vertical clearance of 75 feet at mean high water at the center of the channel.
If you have questions on this temporary deviation, call or e-mail LT Allan Storm, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, Waterways Management Division; telephone 904-714-7616, e-mail Allan.H.Storm@uscg.mil.
Chart 11491 LNM 09/18

Jacksonville In-Water Boat Show will be held April 13-15 at Metropolitan Park on the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville. City of Jacksonville Metropolitan Park Marina is 13 miles off the Waterway and northwest of St. Johns River flashing red marker #82.

Even with dredging, Wiggins Pass is one of the most shoal prone inlets on the Western Florida coastline. Wiggins Pass cuts the coast between Gordon Pass and Fort Myers Beach. To be safe, we strongly recommend calling Pelican Isle Yacht Club at 239-566-1606 for up-to-date depth information BEFORE attempting entry.

Dredging activity will extend from approximately 2000ft east of the beach shore line into the Gulf of Mexico and continue another 2000ft west of the beach shore line. Dredge disposals will be placed just north of the inlet in the Gulf of Mexico, further north along the beach shore line, and south of the inlet along the beach shore line. Operations will occur 24 hours days, 7 days a week. Mariners are advised to contact the Dredge LORI HILL or Tender Boat REBECCA TURPIN on VHF Marine radio channel 16 or channel 10 for passing instructions for their safety. For further information contact Marion (Buddy) Frazier, Project Superintendent (772) 919-1794 or email mfrazier@ferreiraconstruction.com
**Wiggins Pass is very shallow and marked with Private Aids to Navigation. The private aids have been routinely repositioned. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution and local knowledge of the channel conditions is recommended.** Charts 11427 11430 LNM 05/18

These drilling operations will occur east of Dames Point bridge downstream to Mayport and will involve the vicinity of the Waterway/St. Johns intersection west of Mayport at Mile 740. No-wake and caution is required. As usual, our thanks to Specialist Skolte for this notice.

Notice is given that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is notifying the public, marinas, commercial and recreational vessels navigating the Jacksonville Harbor that the R/V Polly-L will be conducting Geotechnical Drilling investigations at Jacksonville Harbor Cut-8 through Jacksonville Harbor Cut-43 commencing on or about 29 January 2018 with a projected completion date of 1 May 2018. READ MORE!

The vessel operator will monitor channels 13 and 16 VHF-FM. Traffic should call 30 minutes prior to expected time of passage. Mariners are requested to stay clear of the R/V Polly-L while they are conducting operations. Mariners are cautioned to strictly comply with “Rules of the Road” when approaching, passing, and leaving the area of operations and remain a safe distance away from the vessel.

Point of Contact for the vessel are Jeff Schwindaman (912-547-0896) and Michael Loveland (912-547-9523). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Point of Contacts are Ms. Barbara Nist (904-232-1890), Barbara.U.Nist@usace.army.mil.

Sign up to receive updates on Notices to Navigation at:
http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Navigation/NoticestoNavigation.aspx

Please share widely on social media: https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict/ and on Twitter @JaxStrong.

The Waterway crosses the St Johns River west of Mayport, FL at Mile 740. Our continued thanks to Peg and Jim Healy for sharing their observations and advice. The Healys are dating themselves and showing their sense of humor with the reference to Will Robinson.

Sanctuary and Crew spent the night last night on the docks at Jim King Park, Sister’s Creek, north side of the St. John’s. We departed Southbound this morning, 11/2/2017, at 07h15, at first light.

ALERT, Will Robinson! ALERT!
The ICW on the south side of the St. John’s is Pablo Creek.We had been warned that the markers at the entrance of Pablo Creek had been relocated, so fortunately, I was on the lookout.READ MORE!

Indeed, they have been significantly moved to the west of the old route; maybe 500 feet. Moved west to the point that many versions of charts of the area are undoubtedly wrong! My Garmin chart plotter had me transiting several shoal islands. Be alert with Garmin BCM on hand held iDevices. Following is a screen shot of what is there now. THE BLACK LINE IS THE CURRENT ROUTE. The red track lines are previous transits, showing the OLD ROUTE. In the low light of an early dawn, this could be quite a surprise for the unsuspecting…

Jacksonville, FL – Curfews have been imposed in many parts of Northeast Florida because of Hurricane Irma.

The curfew for Jacksonville’s beaches started Saturday night at 10PM and continued through 6AM Sunday. That will continue until further notice. Alcohol sales have also been prohibited until further notice.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Effective 8 p.m.Saturday, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) set port condition Zulu for the Port of Jacksonville and Fernandina and all other terminals and facilities due to the expectation of sustained gale force winds of generated by Hurricane Irma that may arrive within 12 hours.

WHEN: Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Media interested in attending are asked to RSVP no later than noon Friday with Coast Guard Public Affairs at 305-318-1864.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary are scheduled to hold a vessel safety check demonstration Saturday for the media at Mayport Boat Ramp.

The event is being held as a part of National Safe Boating Week.

A VSC allows Auxiliarists to ensure a boat, kayak, canoe or even a paddleboard is seaworthy. Auxiliarists also check other equipment aboard, such as fire extinguishers and signal flares, to ensure their proper function and make recommendations to boaters on what they should have aboard.

This service is offered to the public for free. Anyone interested in scheduling a VSC can do so at the following link: http://cgaux.org/vsc/

National Safe Boating Week is an annual campaign held toward the end of May to reemphasize the importance of safe boating practices and the use of boating safety equipment. Events are held throughout the country to educate the boating public and offer boating advice.

Jacksonville Landing is on the north side of the St. Johns, midway between the Main Street Bridge and the Acosta Bridge. This complex is a downtown shopping mall/food court with a stage area for special events and concerts and normally features its own dock for visiting pleasure craft. Now experienced cruiser, David Burnham, reports very limited dockage due to damage from Hurricane Matthew.

Update 3/9/2017:
Arrived at the Jacksonville Landing to find no docking signs posted as the floating docks have not been repaired since last October’s Hurricane Matthew. Read More!

Only a very small section, east of the river ferry dock section, and nearest the Main Street Bridge was available for docking while waiting for the bridge to open.
I arrived after 4:30pm and had to wait until the next opening at 8pm instead of 6pm. Best to call the Main Street bridge tender to find out the latest opening schedule.
Update 3/9/2017: After October 2017, Hurricane Matthew ruined most of the floating dock space at the Jacksonville Landing and only a very small section close to the Main Street Bridge remains open for docking now.
David Burnham

This Waterway shoaling is building on the northeast side between Green Markers #5 and #7, just south of the Waterway crossing of the St. Johns River.

FLORIDA – AICW –ST SIMONS SOUND – TOLOMATO RIVER – PABLO CREEK: Shoaling
The Captain of the Port Jacksonville advises all mariners transiting in vicinity of Pablo Creek and Mile Point on the Intracoastal Waterway, that a shoal is forming on the northeast side of Pablo Creek. The shoal extends from east of Pablo Creek temporary Lighted Buoy 5 (LLNR 38360) to southeast of Pablo Creek Temporary Buoy 7 (LLNR 38370) and encroaching to the south and west of Pablo Creek. Minimum depths of 7 ½ feet are recorded in this area. Mariners transiting this portion of Pablo Creek with draft concerns are advised to navigate with caution while passing through this area. Chart 11489 LNM 08/17

Part of this popular Waterway side trip, Lake George has adequate depths through the long straight channel across the lake, but this range light is a big help as you enter the south exit where depths decrease drastically.

FLORIDA – ST JOHNS RIVER – LAKE GEORGE: Changes to the Aids to Navigation System
Lake George South End Range Front Light (LLNR 8775) has been changed to a lateral aid named Lake George Light 14 displaying Fl R 2.5s characteristics, 5NM range, TR on pile. Chart 11495 LNM 04/17

As stated below, this Slow/No Wake Zone is east of the Main Street Bridge in downtown Jacksonville. No date for completion is given.

FLORIDA – ST JOHNS RIVER – TERMINAL CHANNEL: Slow/No Wake Zone, Precaution Area.
Superior Construction will be conducting demolition and construction operations on the wharf structures located approximately 1,500 feet east of the Main Street Bridge on the north side of the St. Johns River, near downtown Jacksonville’s old shipyards. Read MoreThe Captain of the Port Jacksonville requests all mariners transiting the river east of the Main Street Bridge and adjacent to the north bank docks of the old shipyards, to proceed with caution and transit at a minimum safe speed to reduce wake.
The work is scheduled to commence on or around January 6, 2017 and will continue over the course of several months. The demolition and construction work will normally take place on weekdays during daylight hours. The operations will involve several commercial vessels, including the use of crane and material barges to remove concrete debris and drive piles. There will be a continuous transit of loaded barges from the work site to the north bank shipyard docks near the mouth of Hogan Creek. Additionally, work vessels will be moored along the project site at night. If
additional information is required, the Project Superintendent can be reached via landline at 904-292-4240. Jobsite operators will be monitoring marine VHF Channel 16. Chart 11491 LNM 51/16

Green Cove Springs City Dock is on the St. Johns River between Jacksonville and Palatka. This facility should NOT be confused with Green Cove Springs Marina, which sits a bit farther upstream, in the heart of the old Navy Base. Our thanks to David Burnham for this report.

Damage to the floating docks on the Green Cove Springs City Dock has closed this access to the city until further notice, at least until repairs have returned the floating docks to a useable condition. There is no date specified when work will commence or be completed. However, NO TRESPASSING signs ARE posted. There is a locked gate across the middle of the pier preventing access to the shore from the floating docks.
David Burnham

12/7 And a follow-up to a question about the damage:

Matthew was very hard on the wood docks all along the northern portion (south of Jacksonville) of the riverfront. Most old docks were torn away by the wind and waves and smashed into the nearby docks which in turn broke apart and caused even more damage to other docks further south. The debris was piled up along the roadways for weeks as waterfront owners who lost their docks collected someone else’s dock that washed up on their shores.
David

Doctors Inlet is on the west side of the St. Johns just south of Orange Park. If you have knowledge of these uncharted markers, let us hear from you.

Good morning – We live on the west shore of the St. Johns River (FL) just north of Doctor’s Inlet, and have just recently noticed what appear to be new flashing markers (3 red, one green) near the east side of the river, north of Mandarin Point and just north and east of the flashing green “11” on chart 11492.
They are not charted, and I can’t find them on any recent notices to mariners. Anybody know anything about them? Thanks.
Bill Healy